Whether you want to conceal your bump as much as possible or show it off to the world, the best maternity swimsuits combine support with style. “Embrace your belly, especially in a swimsuit,” says personal fashion stylist Samantha Dawn. “This is the most liberating time, so take advantage of it and wear a swimsuit that makes you feel how you want to feel—whether that’s sexy, edgy, modest or colorful.” Our top pick, the Pinkblush Maternity Ruched Sides Front Cutout Maternity One Piece Swimsuit makes a statement while still providing plenty of coverage and adjustability.
Why We Named It Best Overall
From the gathered fabric on the sides to the chic cutout in the front, this swimsuit accentuates your bump. “Ruching is a great feature that adds material for greater comfort around the belly,” says Dawn. In the back, the straps are adjustable to help you get the right fit. The suit is available in seven colors, but customers report that it runs small, so consider sizing up.
Certified nurse-midwife Amber Chambers highly recommends Pinkblush for maternity swimsuits, and it’s definitely my favorite place to shop for maternity swimwear because of the wide range of stylish options.
Who Might Not Like It
Some reviewers noted that this pick runs large in the bust area but small in the rest of the body. If you size up and you’re petite on top, this cut might not be the best fit for you.
Why We Named It Best Value
Similar to our top pick, this one-piece swimsuit has ruched sides and adjustable straps to help you get the right fit. Despite the deep V-neck cut, it’s a little less revealing than suits with cutouts and it has full back coverage. Chambers recommends Cupshe overall as a good budget-friendly brand for maternity swimsuits. To add value, the stylish low-cut neckline on this suit allows it to double as a pull-aside nursing suit when you’re postpartum. There are more than 10 color options, including a floral print and a variety of subdued solids. The ruched sides and stretchy fabric in the midsection gives your belly plenty of room to grow.
Who Might Not Like It
The spaghetti straps are rather thin. If you have a larger bust or need more support up top, you might want to check out a different pick.
Why We Named It Best One-Piece
In addition to the dainty ruffle detail, one of my favorite things about this swimsuit is the adjustable tie in the back, which allows you to tighten or loosen the suit for your bump size. It also has fuller coverage on the backside than some of our other top picks and comes in four versatile colors. Chambers considers Summer Mae one of her go-to brands for maternity swimsuits, and you can shop other suits with varying degrees of coverage on their site, too.
Who Might Not Like it
Some customers find that this suit runs a tad small. If you don’t want a snug fit over your bump or rear, consider sizing up or checking out one of the other swimsuit styles from Summer Mae.
Why We Named It Best Bikini
The straps on this bikini are adjustable to help you get a comfortable fit, which is a nice feature as your bust changes throughout pregnancy. The neckline on this two-piece swimsuit doesn’t plunge as low as many other options out there, making it a bit more modest up top. It also has a relatively thick band and ruching on the bottom, in addition to a full-coverage high waist. “I highly recommend two-piece sets for easier bathroom access,” says Chambers. This bikini comes in three colors but does run small.
Who Might Not Like It
If this bikini is too modest and you’d rather not have fabric covering your bump, check out the slightly skimpier Pinkblush Strappy Two-Piece Maternity Bikini Set that sits below the bump. Additionally, while the suit is lined, it doesn’t have padding in the cups.
Why We Named It Best Plus-Size
Unlike many other maternity swimsuits, the Summer Mae Maternity Swimsuit is available up to size 3X. It also has adjustable criss-cross straps and functioning buttons in the front, providing some flexibility in the fit. Since you can undo the buttons, this suit works well as a postpartum nursing suit, too. It’s available in ten neutral colors and features ribbed fabric. There’s some ruching on the sides of the belly, allowing room for your bump to grow.
Who Might Not Like It
This swimsuit has thinner fabric, which is great if you get hot flashes or just feel hot overall. However, the thin fabric combined with the looser construction means that there isn’t as much support in the bust as other suits. This might not be the best option for those who have a larger bust or simply prefer more support.
Why We Named It Best Adjustable
An adjustable swimsuit makes all the difference when you’re pregnant so it can fit you well during all stages of your pregnancy. The Summersalt The Maternity Cinched Current has cinched ties so you can adjust the ruching on the sides and in the back to ensure that the fit always feels right. It has a square neckline to provide ample coverage up top, and the bottom has the fullest coverage the brand offers. The ties on the sides also make for a cute detail on an otherwise rather plain suit.
Who Might Not Like It
The suit is only available in Sea Urchin (black) and Deep Sea (dark blue)—if you’re looking for something that’s bright and makes a statement, this isn’t the suit for you.
Why We Named It Best Rashguard
According to Chambers, pregnancy can increase sun sensitivity. This UPF 50+ rashguard set provides the coverage and sun protection you need while also having a front zipper so you can adjust the silhouette. Side drawstrings offer adjustability, too. It’s a two-piece set, which makes it easy to get on and off. While it’s only available in one neutral color, the coral detailing adds some style. This set doesn’t include a bikini top to wear under the rashguard, though, so consider layering it over a one-piece or purchasing a bikini top separately.
Who Might Not Like It
Sizes are limited—if you live in a larger body, this might not be the suit for you.
Why We Named It Best Nursing-Friendly
This maternity suit with unique front ties has easy access for nursing once your baby is born or if you’re nursing an older child while pregnant. There’s an elastic band under the bust for support, and the suit is fully-lined. Ruching on the sides of the belly gives room for your bump to grow. The suit has UPF 50+ sun protection and is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning it’s free from over 1,000 harmful substances such as pesticides and formaldehyde. The shiny honeycomb fabric and gold eyelet details give the suit an elevated look.
Who Might Not Like It
Rather than being a clip-down or pull-aside option, this suit has straps that you need to tie and untie for nursing. This detail adds a more elevated look, but could prove time-consuming if you nurse in it often.
Why We Named Them Best Swim Bottoms
If you only need new swim bottoms to fit your growing bump, Old Navy’s High-Waisted Swim Bottoms are a great choice. They’re available in five colors and made of a ribbed fabric with a lot of stretch to fit over your bump. Ruching also helps with fit and comfort level, and this suit has ample coverage in the rear, too.
Who Might Not Like It
If you prefer a matching two-piece set, check out our other bikini picks or pair these bottoms with a swim top.
How We Chose The Best Maternity Swimsuits
- Expert insight: We interviewed two experts—a fashion stylist and a certified nurse-midwife—to learn about what details matter most when it comes to maternity swimsuits and to gather brand and suit recommendations.
- Suit style: We included a variety of swimsuit types and styles to appeal to various fashion needs, preferences and body types.
- Thorough research: We researched dozens of types of maternity swimsuits and overall swimsuit brands to find reputable and stylish options.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The author of this guide, Alicia Betz, is the baby and kids gear writer at Forbes Vetted. She’s a mom to three children and has years of experience testing and reporting on pregnancy and parenting topics.
- We regularly cover pregnancy-related content, including the best maternity leggings, the best maternity clothes and the best pregnancy books.
Our Experts
- Personal stylist and style coach Samantha Dawn
- Certified nurse-midwife at Pediatrix Medical Group, Amber Chambers